Dec. 11, 2010
Final Stats
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CHARLESTON, Ill. - The UIC women's basketball team surrendered a late lead in the second straight game as they lost to the Eastern Illinois Panthers on Saturday afternoon, 63-62, at Lantz Arena.
The Flames (4-4) held a nine-point advantage, 62-53, with 3:35 to play following a three-point basket by Shameia Green. However, Eastern Illinois (5-5) would tighten up the defensive pressure and shut UIC off the scoreboard for the remainder of the contest as they closed the game on a 10-0 run. The Panthers Ta'Kenya Nixon drew a foul with 14.7 seconds to play and drained a pair of free throws to give her team a one point advantage.
The Flames got a good look for the win, but Jasmine Bailey's jumper drew iron. UIC's Briana Hinkle came down with the rebound, but her put-back attempt was no good, as well. Teammate Katie Hannemann grabbed the basketball, but her fledgling attempt came after the final horn sounded and the Panthers stormed the court in celebration.
The Flames outrebounded Eastern Illinois, 41-31, and held the Panthers to just 34.5-percent (19-for-55) from the field, however the defensive intensity was not where it needed to be according to UIC head coach Lisa Ryckbosch.
"We didn't defend," said Ryckbosch after the game. "We weren't ready to play when the game started, for one thing. We did a great job of fighting back. It's the first time we've been in a situation where we were able to take control when we didn't have it early in the game, so that was a positive.
"Down the stretch, we didn't get stops and that's been an issue for us. The sense of urgency wasn't where it needed to be and if we don't clean it up, its going to be a long year."
The Flames did not take great care of the basketball in the game. After committing only nine turnovers in the entire game last time out against Illinois State, UIC committed 13 miscues in the first 20 minutes against the Panthers on Saturday and finished with a season-high 25 turnovers.
Green scored 22 of her career-high 32 points in the second half Saturday. It marked the second straight game in which she posted a personal-best after pouring in 24 points in last Saturday's overtime game at Illinois State.
"She [Green] was tremendous tonight," said Ryckbosch. "She's playing confident basketball right now. We tried to ride her coattails as much as we could, but the fact is there's five people on the court at once and one person can't do it alone."
Nixon led the Panthers with 19 points and a game-high five assists.
The Flames will be idle until Saturday, Dec. 18 when they face the Illinois Fighting Illini at Chicago's United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls. Both the women's and men's teams will face the Illini at the Madhouse on Madison Saturday with the women's game tipping off first at 10:30 a.m. The contest between Howard Moore and Bruce Weber's men's squads will follow at approximately 1 p.m.
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Fans wishing to learn more about affordable and flexible UIC ticket plans are encouraged to call 312-413-UIC1 or visit www.uicflames.com and click on the "Tickets" tab on the Flames home page.
